How do I Install Brakes on a 2000 Dodge Neon?

The 2000 Dodge Neon comes standard with a 2.0-liter, 132 horsepower, inline four-cylinder engine. It also come standard with front, ventilated disc brakes. The brakes operate by brake pads, which have a thin layer of friction material that presses against a spinning rotor to stop the vehicle. Over time, typically about 25,000 to 35,000 miles, the friction material on the brake pads will wear off and the pads must be replaced. Replacing the brake pads in a timely manner is important to maintain the proper operation of the rest of the brake system.

Instructions

1

Open the Neon's hood and locate the brake master cylinder; it's bolted to the top of the firewall on the driver's side. Remove the lid from the master cylinder and siphon out about half of the fluid with a turkey baster. Place the siphoned fluid into a small, clean container for reuse.

2

Loosen the front lug nuts with a ratchet and socket, and raise the front wheels off the ground with a floor jack. Place jack stands beneath the vehicle and lower the jack until the vehicle is sitting only on the stands. Remove the front lug nuts and pull the wheels from the vehicle.

3

Remove the two bolts on the rear of the caliper using a ratchet and socket. Pull the caliper off the caliper bracket. Notice the pads stay attached to the brake caliper. Hang the caliper, by the bungee strap, from the spring on the suspension.

4

Slide the flat head screwdriver under the metal clip holding the outer pad to the caliper and pry upward to release it. Pull the outer pad from the caliper.

5

Place a C-clamp over the caliper so that the screw portion touches the inner brake pad. Tighten the C-clamp and observe as the inner brake pad begins moving toward the inner part of the caliper. Continue tightening the C-clamp until the pad stops moving; this presses the caliper piston into the caliper body. Remove the C-clamp.

6

Grab the inner brake pad and pull it away from the inner part of the caliper; notice finger-like, metal prongs are attached to the back of the pad and insert into the caliper piston. Pull the pad until the fingers are completely out of the caliper piston and discard the pad.

7

Place the new inner pad so the metal prongs are lined up with the holes in the caliper piston. Press the pad until the prongs are fully inserted into the caliper piston and the pad is seated on the caliper body.

8

Place the outer pad on the caliper body and press it until the metal clip seats into the grooves on the caliper body.

9

Grab the rotor and pull it toward you and off the lug studs. Notice there is a small circle in the center of the lug studs that the old rotor sits on. If the rotor does not pull off easily, hit it with a rubber mallet to free it. Place the new rotor on the lug studs and push it until it seats into place on the circle in the center of the lug studs.

10

Place the caliper on the caliper bracket and tighten the caliper bolts to 23 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and a socket.

11

Repeat steps 3 through 10 for the brakes on the other side of the vehicle.

12

Place the front wheels back on the Neon and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Raise the Neon off the jack stands with the floor jack, and pull out the jack stands from under the car. Lower the Neon to the ground.

13

Tighten the lug nuts, in a crisscross pattern, to 100 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and a socket.

14

Check the fluid level in the master cylinder. The level must be between the "Min" and "Max" lines. Add fluid from the small container as needed. After adding the fluid, dispose of any remaining fluid properly. Most auto parts stores will take old fluids free of charge.

15

Close the Neon's hood and build up brake pressure by pressing and releasing the brake pedal until it feels hard.